Metal detectorist finds 17th Century ring worth £3k

A metal detectorist has unearthed a 17th Century gold ring with a memento mori skull motif in a field.

The memorial ring, which is expected to fetch about £3,000 at auction, is dedicated to 17th Century headmaster Dr Richard Busby, who died in 1695 and is interred in Westminster Abbey.

It was found in a field in Catforth, Preston, by Amanda Parker, who said she was invited to try her hand at detecting by her daughter and partner.

She said she initially thought she had found a wedding band when she saw "the glint of gold" in the bottom of an eight inch hole in the ground but was shocked to read the inscription when she picked it up.

Parker, from Preston, said: When I gently removed the ring from the hole, I could see an inscription on the inside in italic script 'Ri Busby' and thought it was a posy ring.

"I must have sat in the field next to the hole for a good 10 to 15 minutes not believing what I had just found and, being alone, not able to share my excitement with anybody."

Busby has been described by Westminster Abbey as "the most celebrated schoolmaster of his time who held the post of Head Master of Westminster School for 55 years".

Among his pupils were architect Christopher Wren, playwright Robert Dryden and composer Henry Purcell.

The ring is being sold at auction next week.

Parker said she found the ring after she "plucked up the courage to ask a few local farmers if I could detect on their land and luckily some said yes".

Once home, she said she researched Richard Busby online and could not believe what she was reading.

Her daughter and her partner put a photo of the ring onto a detecting forum and confirmed that the find was a memorial ring for a Dr Richard Busby of Westminster School, London.

She said she has enjoyed researching Busby's life since that day in August last year.

The ring was returned to Amanda in December 2025, having gone through the treasure process and being disclaimed.

Parker informed Westminster School of her find and they told her they were very interested to see the ring, not having one in their collection.

She said she would be splitting the proceeds of the sale 50:50 with the landowner.

"I don't do metal detecting for money, and this is the only find that I have put up for sale," she said.

"I do it because I love being out in the glorious countryside, the anticipation when digging a signal and turning over the clod to reveal a lost artefact, trying to imagine the last person to hold that item and the research."

Laura Smith, a jewellery specialist from London-based Noonans said: "Like many of his time, Busby, left money to various friends and acquaintances in his will specifically for the purpose "to buy rings in the remembrance of me".

She said the specific sums bequeathed for rings ranged from five guineas to 10 shillings a piece.

Records in the archives at Westminster School recorded that 90 foliate rings were purchased for distribution, with 20 bearing a skull motif, she added.

Busby, who was known for his liberal use of corporal punishment, was interred under a marble memorial within Westminster Abbey.

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